Tirumala no-fly zone: Centre in talks to ensure flights take alternate routes

Hyderabad: Centre has started negotiations with authorities to ensure that flights take alternate routes after the TTD Chairman BR Naidu sought to declare Tirumala a no-fly zone.

Union Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said that they are in talks with the concerned authorities on this issue.

TTD chairman highlighted the issue after some flights were recently flying over the Tirumala Hills. Citing religious convictions, the temple's holiness, and the feelings of devotees, BR Naidu wrote to civil aviation minister K Ram Mohan Naidu on February 17 requesting that aircraft restrictions be placed over the holy temple region.

“We are currently negotiating with Air Traffic Control and Navigation to ensure that flights take alternate routes,” he said, and added that the nation does not currently have a "no-fly zone" in place. "There have been several requests for no-fly zones over religious and historic places, and we are looking at the best potential solution. At the moment, we are working to ensure that flights take alternate routes," the minister said.

Speaking to media persons, Rammohan Naidu said that after the land acquisition procedure is finalized, the construction of Mamnoor Airport in Warangal, Telangana, will be finished in the following two-and-a-half years.

"Before independence, this site was one of Asia's largest airports. However, after 1980, business deteriorated, and there is currently no activity. We did a feasibility analysis and found that an additional 280 acres are necessary to extend the runway," the minister said.

He noted that the Central government's proactive approach in this regard is crucial for initiating operations. Elaborating, the Union Minister said that the Airports Authority of India (AAI) is ready with the master plan to build a world-class airport in Warangal. "We'll start building as soon as the land acquisition is finished. Our goal is to finish the airport in two and a half years, given the Central government's special priority," he said.

Rammohan Naidu also thanked the Telangana government for allocating Rs 205 crore to acquire over 280 acres for the development of Mamnoor Airport, urging the state to speed up the land acquisition process. Telangana now has only one operational airport, Shamshabad in Hyderabad, underscoring the need for more airports, he said.

The minister highlighted Warangal’s significance as a major tourist destination, a textile hub, and an educational center for Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, emphasizing the necessity of an airport to meet the long-pending demand.

"It has been Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision to expand airport infrastructure, and he has consistently pushed all stakeholders to build more airports. From 74 airports in 2014, we have now reached 159 and counting. This achievement is due to PM Modi’s leadership and guidance," Rammohan Naidu said.

Regarding proposals for an airport in Bhadradri Kothagudem, Telangana, he noted that a feasibility study was conducted on the proposed site, but it was found to be unsuitable. In January, a feasibility assessment for an alternate site was conducted, and the state government was requested to supply climatic data. A decision on setting up the airport will be taken after the data is available, he added.